Passive immunotherapy with convalescent COVID-19 plasma (CCP) is used as a therapeutic procedure in many countries, including Serbia. In this study, we analyzed the association between demographic factors, COVID-19 severity and the reactivity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Abs) in Serbian CCP donors. Individuals (n = 468) recovered from confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and who were willing to donate their plasma for passive immunization of COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of IgG reactive to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S1) and nucleocapsid antigens. Individuals were characterized according to age, gender, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, ABO blood type and RhD factor. Total of 420 candidates (420/468; 89.74%) reached the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG that qualified them for inclusion in CCP donation program. Further statistical analysis showed that male individuals (p = 0.034), older age groups (p < 0.001), existence of hypertension (p = 0.008), and severe COVID-19 (p = 0.000) are linked with higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Abs. These findings will guide the selection of CCP donors in Serbia. Further studies need to be conducted to assess the neutralization potency and clinical efficiency of CCP collected from Serbian donors with high anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG reactivity.

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Introduction. Healthcare workers should check if an oncology patient would like to be visited by a priest and if there are any religious rituals that would ease the treatment and eliminate the stress of people close to them. The aims of study have been to check if a lung cancer patient requires help from a priest during palliative oncological treatment and if a team for palliative care requires the presence of a priest. Material and Methods. The study included 200 lung cancer patients treated between 2015 and 2017 at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina. The sample was divided into two groups: patients with I, II, IIIA stage of carcinoma and the other with stadium of IIIB and IV. The research was performed by using a questionnaire to be completed by the patients. Results. A statistical significance was determined for the question ?Do you think that the priest can participate in your treatment?? The percentage of male and female patients who answered positively was 38.9% and 71.6%, respectively (p<0.001). As for the patients with the stage of the disease IIIA and stage IIIB and IV, that percentage was 24.4%, and 71.1%, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion. Lung cancer patients need help from a priest which is more common in females and in patients in later stages of the disease. The team for palliative care of lung cancer patients also needs the participation of a priest in their work with these patients.